The Wallabies will take inspiration from retiring scrum-half Nic White as they seek to avoid a series whitewash in the third Test against the British & Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday.
The veteran announced on Thursday he would retire from international rugby after Saturday’s Test and coach Joe Schmidt has handed him the No 9 jersey for his 73rd Wallabies cap in a nod to his long contribution to Australian rugby.
White said it was the right time to “pass on the baton” to players like Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott, who have played ahead of him in the first two Tests.
“Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy in Scone and to say I’ve done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something I’m incredibly proud of and a privilege I’ve never taken for granted,” White said.
“Rugby has given me so much to be grateful for. I’ve made some incredible memories, some lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to see the world.”
Schmidt described White as “the ultimate competitor”. “First and foremost Nic is a great man to have in a squad,” he said. “He’s team first all the time and has been at the top of the game for over a decade.”
Outside White, Tom Lynagh at flyhalf and the centre pairing of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii keep their places, while Dylan Pietsch will replace the injured Harry Potter on the wing.
There are more changes in the forwards, as tighthead prop Taniela Tupou replaces Allan Alaalatoa who is out with a shoulder complaint.
Rob Valetini will miss the game as the staff manage his return from a calf injury, after he lasted only 40 minutes in Melbourne.
Into the loose forwards comes Tom Hooper to play alongside Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson who was again named captain, and prop Zane Noongar has been brought on to the bench.
Carlo Tizzano and Tom Robertson have dropped off the bench, which has a five-three split including the recalled Andrew Kellaway.
Schmidt said the squad has been “deflated” after the “gut-wrenching” end to the Test in Melbourne, when a contentious last-minute try won the Lions the match and the series, but they have now put that experience behind them.
“They have started to gather momentum in the back half of the week and will be ready to go again on Saturday,” he said.
“The support in Brisbane and Melbourne helped to lift the squad, and I know the support this weekend in Accor Stadium, will again help to lift the players in the high-pressure moments that we know are coming.”
The 83,000-capacity stadium is sold out for the clash, as the Wallabies hope to avoid their first whitewash against the Lions since 1904.
Wallabies: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Dylan Pietsch, 10-Tom Lynagh, 9-Nic White, 8-Harry Wilson, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Tom Hooper, 5-Will Skelton, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Taniela Tupou, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper
Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Jeremy Williams, 20-Langi Gleeson, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Andrew Kellaway
